Vacuum or siphon breaker



May 17, 1938. H, D YODER 2,117,389

y VACUUM 0R SIPHON BREAKER Filed March 4, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 May 17, 1938. H, Q YODER 2,117,389

VACUUM OR SIPHON BREAKER Filed March 4, 1955 2 sheetshet 2 .47E IDF 6. Wou/ara @der Patented May 17, 193s' 2,117,389

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,117,389 vAcUUM' oa slrnoN Bauma Howard D. Yoder, Detroit, Mich., assigner to Penberthy Injector Company, Detroit, Mich.,- a corporation of Delaware Application March 4, 1935, Serial No. 9,269

10 Claims. (Cl. 137-69) The present invention relates to a so-called through other forms' of vacuum breakers, both vacuum breaker and will be described in connecembodying the principles of the present invention with a iluid pressure distributing system tion. wherein iiuid ilows through service lines, and In the various forms of vacuum breakers shown wherein, in event of temporary reversal or reducin Figures 2 t0 7 inclusive. the Sam@ Principle 0f 5 tion oi pressure in the lines, back flow of iluid operation is involved, viz. the utilization oi check through the service lines is prevented, or choke means responsive to pressure diieren- The invention contemplates the use of a choke tials in the breakers, for controlling communicaor throttling device which prevents, or throttles, tion between the air intakes and the uid systems.

back iiow, together with a large air intake, which The drawings will now be explained. 10 is in communication with the service lines or Referring to Figure 1 a basement sump I is pipes, s0 that on reduction or reversal of presshown as applied to a basement and extending sure through the service lines, a vacuum or liftbelow the basement floor 2. The ground level ing effect in the serivce lines is practically preis indicated at 3, while aisewer I, between the Vented. ground level 3 and the basement floor 2 is laid in 15 An object of the present invention is to provide the earth outside of the building structure in a vacuum breaker for iluid pressure distributing which the sump is installed. lines or systems. Included in the construction shown in Fig. 1 is Another object of the present invention is to a drain pipe 5 for supplying drain water tothe provide a vacuum breaker for iluid pressure dissump I from other parts of the basement.

tributing systems wherein pressure variations in For the purpose of withdrawing the drain water the system actuate the breaker for preventing from the sumpi and delivering it to the sewer l, back flow of fluid in the event of reductionor rean instrumentality, referred to generally as lan versal of pressure. ejector A, is submerged in the sump water and is A further object of the present invention is to operated by water pressure from a main B. provide a vacuum breaker wherein air communi- There is a pipe 6 extending from the ejeccation with the service line is cut oil during the tor A and opening into the sewer 4. A suppresence of certain pressure of fluid, and estabply pipe 1 leads from the main B to the lished when the pressure is reduced or reversed to ejector A, 'for the purpose of supplying water prevent back flow of fluid into the service line. under pressure thereto for actuating the ejeco The above, other and further objects of the tor to drain the sump. Interposed in the suppresent invention will be apparent from the folply line i is a vacuum breaker C. Also interposed lowing description, accompanying drawings and in the supply line 1 between the vacuum breaker appended claims. and the ejector A, is a float operated valve 8,

The accompanying drawings illustrate various opened and closed by means of a float 9 35 vacuum breakers constructed to embody the which is operably connected to the stem of the principles of the present invention, and the views valve member of the valve 8, by means of links III thereof are as follows: i and II.

Figure 1 is a view, somewhat diagrammatic The vacuum breaker C of Figure 1 may be any ,win nature, representing, in elevation, an autoof the various forms illustrated in Figures 2 to 7 40 matic cellar drain system, utilizing water presinclusive. However, the vacuum breaker C sure for its operation, and showing included in Shown in Fig. 1 is constructed similarly to that such system a vacuum breaker oi' the present inshown in Fig. 7 of the accompanying drawings. vention. Referring more particularly to Figures 2 to 'l Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view through inclusive, the various forms of vacuum breakers 45 one form oi vacuum breker of the present inwill now be explained.

vention. The form of vacuum breaker illustrated in Figure 3 is a vertical section through another Figure 2 includes a casing I2 having an inlet form of vacuum breaker. connection I3, an outlet connection I4, for fluid,

Figure 4 is a vertical section through a still and an air inlet or intake I5. The interior of the 50 other form of the present invention. casing is shown as provided with a plurality of Figure 5 is a horizontal sectional view taken vertically extending ribs I6 for the purpose of substantially in the plane indicated by line V--V guiding a float or choke I1. 'Ihe float or choke of Figure 2. I'l is made as a cylindrical article, constructed Figure 6 and Figure 'I are vertical sections to travel vertically within the casing I2,and guid- 55 ed by the ribs I6. The casing I2 is shown as closed at its lower end by a flange I8 secured in place by bolts I9, which flange or lid I8 carries the air inlet or intake I5. The inner portion of the air inlet I5 constitutes a seat for the check or choke member I1 when acting to exclude air from the system. The inner portion of the fluid pressure inlet I3 constitutes la seat for the check or choke member I1 when the valve is exposed to an abnormal or reversed fluid pressure.

When a vacuum breaker of the form illustrated in Figure 2 is installed in a service line, the fluid under pressure enters the casing I2 through the inlet I3 and passes out therefrom through the outlet I4 and the various pipes thereto connected. 'Ihe presence of pressure within the casing I2 urges the check or choke I1 downwardly against the seat of the air inlet, thus closing air admission to the casing, as long as the entering fluid is maintained under certain pressure. Should the operation of the system result in a reduction of pressure, or a reversal of pressure, then the water pressure against the top side of the float or choke member I1 would be reduced, thereupon enabling the buoyance of the float or choke to dislodge the float or choke member I1 and move it upwardly, away from the air inlet and to seat on the inlet seat. Such movement of the member I1 causes admission of air into the vacuum breaker I2 and chokes a reversal of flow through I3, thus breaking any vacuum that may exist in the service line and practically preventing flow lfrom the pipe connected tothe outlet I4 into the supply pipe connected to the inlet I3.

The form of vacuum breaker illustrated in Figure 3 is somewhat similar to that shown in Fig. 2 and includes a casing 20 having an inlet connection 2I entering from the bottom of the casing and an outlet 22. Its upper end is closed by a lid 23, secured in position by bolts 24. 'I'he lid 23 is provided with an opening 25 shaped to receive and conform to the check or choke member 26, which, in this'instance, is a weighted ball. The ball 26 is guided in vertical movement within the casing by means of ribs 21 fashioned on the inside of the casing 'I'he inner extremity of the inlet 2I provides a seat for the ball under certain circumstances.

In using this form of vacuum breaker, the fluid water pressure entering the casing 20 through the inlet 2l urges the ball 26 upwardly closing the opening 25, and maintains the opening closed by the ball as long as pressure of a certain amount is sustained in the fluid system. As soon as such pressure falls, or is reversed, the ball 26 drops away from the opening 25, by 1gravity to a seat 2Ia on inlet 2I, thereupon admitting air to the interior of the casing 2D through opening 25 and throttling the vacuum appearing at inlet 2I, which acts to break any vacuum that there may be in the system, due to such reduction or reversal of pressure.

The form of vacuum breaker illustrated in Figure 4 contemplates a two part casing, the upper part 28 having a marginal flange 29 which is attached to a similar flange 30 of the lower part 3I of the casing. Bolts 6I secure the two parts of the casing together in operative relation. The upper vportion 28 of the casing is provided with an inlet connection 32 While the lower portion 3I is provided with an outlet connection 33. Secured between the flanges 29 and 30 of the casing members is a diaphragm 34 dividing the interior of the casing into chambers 35 and 36. The lower portion 3l of the casing is provided with openings 31 constituting air ports. Carried by the diaphragm 34 is a hollow barrel-like member 38 having openings 39 and 40 through its top and bottom portions. Within the barrellike member 38 is a disc 4I which is actuated toward a seat about opening 39 by a spring 42.

When a vacuum breaker of the form illustrated in Figure 4 is inserted in a fluid pressure system, the fluid enters the chamber 35 through the inlet 32 and the integrated force exerted by the pressure on the diaphragm 34 urges the barrel-like member 38 against the seat 33a formed at the upper extremity of the outlet 33, thus effecting a sealing engagement between the interior of the chamber 38 and the pipe line connected to the outlet 33. The fluid under pressure and flowing conditions thereupon displaces the disc 4I and passes through the barrel-like member 38 into the outlet 33 and through any pipe or pipes thereto connected. The movement of the barrellike member 38 against its seat as described,` seals air communication between the air inlets 31 and the pipe lines connected to the outlet 33. yAs soon as the fluid pressure diminishes or is reversed, the disc 4I seats against the under side of the opening 39, closing it, and the diaphragm 34, together with the atmospheric pressure against the under side thereof, displaces the barrel-like member from sealing engagement with its seat, thereby admitting air to the pipe lines connected to the outlet 33, and practically eliminating any back-flow or vacuum eil'ect appearing in the supply lines connected to the inlet 32.

The form of vacuum breaker illustrated in Figure 7 includes a casing like that described with reference to Fig. 4 with the modification, however, that in place of the barrel-like member 33, the diaphragm 34 carries a cylinder 50, having an opening 42 of reduced diameter, relatively to the inlet 32, through it.

In a vacuum breaker of the type illustrated in Fig. 7, when fluid pressure is introduced through the inlet 32 it causes the diaphragm 34 to deflect away from the inlet 32, said deection being made possible by virtue of the choking action of opening 42 through cylindrical member III under flow conditions, and thereby causes cylindrical member 60 to seat on the seat 33a providedv at the upper extremity of the oulet 33, thus sealing the air communication between the inlet 31 and the pipe connected to the outlet 33. 'I'hls condition prevails as long as the pressure is maintained, above a certain amount. As soon as the pressure is reduced, or reversed, the cylinder 60 is displaced from against its seat by atmospheric pressure against its under side, and against the under side of the diaphragm, so that air communication is established between the air inlet 31 andthe pipes connected to the outlet 33 of the breaker, while at the same time the suction or reduced pressure appearing at inlet 32 is so throttled by restriction 42 as to be so within the capacity of the air inlets 31 that the net vacuum or suction effect appearing in the outlet connection 33 and pipes thereunto connected will be held to a desired minimum.-

The form of vacuum breaker illustrated in Fig. 6 is shown as fashioned as a two part casing, one part of the casing 43 having a fluid inlet 45, a fluid outlet 44, and an air conduction passage 48. Body part 43 also has flanges 55 and 51 integral with it, for engaging a diaphragm 59, and choke or check seat 5I which communicates with air passage 48 and outlet 44. the casing is made up of part 46 having flanges The other portion of (iii aumen 55 and 58, an air passage 48, an air seat 41 integral with 46. Air valve seat 41 communicates with air passages 49 and 48 and thus communicates with outlet 44. The diaphragm or flexible membrane 58 is engaged and held in a suitable position between parts 43 and 46 by ilanges 55, 51 and 5S, 58 respectively. The diaphragm or ilexi-l ble membrane 59 carries at a suitable point a disc 52 fastened to it, said disc 52 being so positioned, so fashioned, and so designed as to engage the check or choke seat 5I under certain conditions, and also to engage air seat 41 under certain other conditions.

A vacuum breaker of the form illustrated in Fig. 6 when inserted in a pressure line, receives the fluid under pressure through the inlet 45 which acts on diaphragm or flexible membrane 59, causing disc 52 to seat on the air inlet seat 41, thereby sealing off air communication with passages 49, 48, inlet 44 and pipes thereunto connected. Under normal pressure conditions, the pressure iluid therefore ilows through inletl 48 through choke passage or past choke seat 5l to outlet 44 and pipes thereunto connected. As long as a certain pressure is maintained on the entering fluid, the breaker is sealed against air admission. As soon as the pressure is reduced, or reversed, the diaphragm or flexible membrane moves toward the choke seat 5l, by virtue of the pressure differential between the internal pressure oi the system relative to the atmospheric pressure carrying disc 82 away from air seat 41 and toward choke seat 5l. Under the proper reduced pressure conditions, therefore, disc 52 seats on choke seat 5l and opens air seat or valve entrance 41. Any vacuum or suction action caused by reduced or reversed pressures and appearing at inlet 45 is therefore first choked, throttled or checked, by virtue of disc 52 seating on seat 5l, and then the residual suction which may pass seat 5l, by reason of leakage or other means, is dealt with by air being vented through seat 41, which in this condition is open, and through passagesv 48 and 48 which are in communication with the outlet 44 and pipes thereunto connected. Therefore vacuum appearing at inlet 45can be stopped, reduced or regulated to a required minimum in outlet 44 and pipes connected thereto by the proper choice of openings, clearances, flexibility and dimensions of parts herein described and aforementioned, as applying to schematic diagram. or sketch of principle as represented in Fig. 6.

One use of the present invention is to prevent cross connection contamination of domestic fresh water supply in the event a supply pipe or conduit over loses its pressure and suction is developed. The need for a vacuum breaker in such application arises only when and if the pressure in the distributing system fails and abnormal suction develops in any portion of the system or connected' devices. Should any such suction develop, there `is a possibility that, without a vacuum breaker in the system, the supply of fluid might readily be contaminated from cross connections.

The various forms of vacuum breakers herein described and illustrated, are illustrated as adapted lor admission of atmospheric pressure so that the pressure necessary in the supply line to close the vacuum breakers to atmospheric air, must be above-atmospheric andv any sub-atmospheric pressure would result in the opening of the breakers to the atmosphere. It is to be understood, however, that by means of suitable adjustments, the breakers of the present invention could be very readily adapted for operation at other than atmospheric pressure. It is believed that anyone skilled in the art would very readily comprehend such alterations as might be needed to adapt the vacuum breakers of the present invention to operate on other than atmospheric pressure.

In a lluid pressure system, if an air intake only, were 'relied on to break the suction pull exerted through the unrestricted service lines, the size of such air opening might be prohibitive. The utilization of a choke or check valve member makes possible the reduction of the air inlet so that such inlet may be only large enough to take care of any assumed leakage through the service line check.

Preferably a diaphragm .is used in connection with such check to avoid the time lag in opening and closing communication between the service lines and the air intake, and also to assure positive action of the check at low pressures.

It will be noted that the vacuum breaker of the present invention depends on the pressure in the service lines to close communication between the air inlet and the service lines. A reduction or reversal of pressure thereupon acts to open the air inlet to the system and at the. same time to bring into play a choking, checking or throttling device, so that the suction action so appearing is reduced and the residual suction getting past said check or choke is dealt with by introducing air into the system. Thus, the breaker acts to prevent back flow from cross connections or other partsof the system, which are connected to the outlet of the breaker, from entering the pressure supply connected to the inlet of said valve or breaker.

The invention has been described herein more or less precisely as to detalls, yet it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited thereby, as changes may be made in the arrangement and proportion. of parts, and equivalents may be substituted, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

The invention is claimed as follows:

1. In a device of the class described, means providing a chamber having iluid inlet and outlet and an air inlet, a diaphragm within said chamber movable responsively to pressure differentials therein, said diaphragm carrying means providing a choke orifice, the parts being so arranged that pressure flow through said chamber closes communication between said air inlet and said fluidinlet and outlet and abnormal drop in pressure opens communication with said air inlet and chokes back ilow through said orifice.

2. In a device of the class described, means providing a chamber having fluid inlet and outlet and an air inlet, a diaphragm within said chamber movable responsively to pressure differentials therein, said diaphragm carrying a barrellike member having openings through its ends adjacent the fluid inlet and outlet respectively, a closure disc within said member, means within said member tending to maintain said disc in position to close the member opening adjacent said fluid inlet, the parts being so arranged that normal fluid pressure moves said diaphragm and member to close communication between said air inlet and said fluid inlet and outlet and displaces said disc permitting fluid flow through said member and abnormal pressure drop causes movement of diaphragm and member to open air communication with said air inlet and closes said disc against said member to s top back ow l,into fluid inlet.

3. In an improved automatic self-policing air valve and back pressure control device, the combinatlon of a valve body, a chamber therein, a diaphragm valve located in said chamber, a normally closed self-closing opening in said diaphragm valve and arranged to permit passage of fluid from the inlet through the chamber, and said normally closed selfclosing opening automatically closing on the reduction of' pressure in the passage to prevent return of fluid'to the inlet passage.

4. In an improved automatic self-policing air valve and back pressure control device, the combination of a valve body defining a hollow chamber, an entrance passage at one end of the chamber, a resilient diaphragm in said chamber provided with a normally closed self-closing valve to prevent flow of fluids toward the entrance 'passage, an exit passage at the end of the body opposite the entrance passage, said exit passage being centrally located with respect to the contour of the body, a valve seat formed at the inner end of the exit passage, air ports between the diaphragm and the valve seat, said valvel seat cooperating with the resilient diaphragm to prevent escape of fluid to the'atmosphere when such iluid flows through said valve from the entrance passage into the exit passage.

5.l In an improved automatic self-policing air valve and back pressure control device, the combination of a valve body, a. hollow chamber formed therein, an entrance passage at one end thereof communicating with the chamber, a resilient valve member provided with a normally closed self-closing opening in said chamber, whereby passage of fluid from the chamber to the entrance passage is prevented, an exit passage communicating at the inner end with the chamber and with the atmosphere having a valve seat formed at its inner end and cooperating with the resilient valve member, `said resilient valve member seating on the valve seat of the exit passage to close communication to the atmosphere and opening to permit passage of fluid from the charnber to the exit passage when positive pressure exists in the vfluid passing from the entrance passage through the chamber.

6. In an improved automatic self-policing air valve and back pressure control device, the combination of a valve body, a passage extending longitudinally therethrough, a chamber formed in the body and connecting at each end with said passage, a diaphragm member arranged in the chamber and dividing the same into two parts and with the lower part open to the atmosphere, whereby that portion of the passage connecting with the lower part of the chamber, is normally open to the atmosphere, a valve seat formed at the upper end of that portion of the passage connecting with the lower part of the chamber, said diaphragm member having a normally closed self-closing valve, said diaphragm member being normally out of engagement with the valve seat and seating thereon when fluid under pressure flows through the chamber, to thereby seal the air opening in the portion of the passage connecting with the lower part of the chamber, said normally closed self-closing valve moving to open position to permit fluid to flow therepast into the lower portion of the passage.

7. In a device of the class described, means providing a chamber having a fluid inlet and fluid outlet and an air inlet and having an annular seat between said fluid outlet and air inlet, a diaphragm within said chamber movable responsively to pressure differentials therein, said diaphragm carrying a hollow member having openings through its ends adjacent the fluid inlet and outlet respectively, a closure disc within said member and working against the opening in the end thereof adjacent the fluid inlet, spring means acting against said disc to normally maintain it in position to close the member opening adjacent the iiuid inlet, the parts being so arranged that normal fluid pressure moves said diaphragm to urge said member against said annular seat to close communication between said air inlet and'said fluid inlet and outlet 'and dis'- places said disc permitting fluid flow through said member and that abnormal pressure drop causes movement of the diaphragm and member to open air communication with said air inlet and closes said disc against said member to stop back flow into said fluid inlet.

8. In an improved automatic self-policing vacuum breaker or air valve, the combination of a valve body, a chamber formed therein open at one end, an entrance passage for said chamber at the other end, a cylindrical valve seat of less diameter than the internal diameter of the chamber located in the chamber, and a resilient annular valve secured at its peripheral edge to the valve body normally out of engagement with the valve seat and seating thereon on an excess of negative pressure of fluid within the chamber, whereby reverse flow of fluid through the valve body is prevented.

9. A device of the class described comprising a casing defining a chamber having a fluid inlet on one side thereof and a iluid outlet and an air inlet on the other side thereof, a resilient diaphragm within said chamber provided with a choke orifice, said diaphragm being so arranged with respect to said fluid outlet and air inlet that: with balanced pressure on each side of said diaphragm, said fiuid outlet and air inlet are in communication; with pressure flow occurring normally through said choke orifice, said fluid inlet andoutlet are closed off from said air inlet; and with lower than atmospheric pressure on the inlet side of said diaphragm, said fluid outlet and air inlet are in communication.

10. A device for use in a liquid pressure system for passing a ow of liquid under pressure in the normal direction and for preventing back siphonage of liquid whenever pressure on the pressure side drops below atmospheric, comprising a casing having a liquid inlet, a liquid outlet and air ports therein, a resilient diaphragm member within said casing and providing a reduced opening between said inlet and outlet, said diaphragm member being arranged to close off said air ports during normal pressure flow but responsive to a reduction of pressure at said inlet side of the casing to open communication from said air ports, the size of said opening and of said air ports being such as to admit suicient air to prevent back siphonage of liquid through said casing when the pressure at the inlet thereof is reduced below atmospheric.

HOWARD D. YODER. 

